Out of the MEPs present, 523 voted for the resolution, while 22 voted against and 19 remained neutral, according to a by the European parliament. The resolution called for an “immediate full embargo on Russian imports of oil, coal, nuclear fuel, gas” and for “Nordstream 1 and 2 to be completely abandoned.” The MEPs also asked for a plan to continuously provide the EU’s energy supplies for the short-term.

The deputies also voted in favour of stricter sanctions on Russia. Clearer communication on “red lines and measure-for-measure steps to roll back sanctions in the event that Russia takes steps to restore Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity” were also demanded.

Following the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, the EU has taken several steps to make president Vladimir Putin call his troops back. to existing sectoral bans, such as a full transaction ban on 4 key Russian banks, further export bans, import bans, a ban on Russian and Russian operated vessels from accessing EU ports, among others.

Luxembourg’s MEPs supported the resolution. Tilly Metz, who is a member of the Green party of the European Parliament, in a tweet said: “Let’s stop funding Putin’s war NOW!”. Christophe Hansen, though absent from the voting session, shared a similar message on his account. Monica Semedo (Renew Europe), Marc Angel (S&D), Isabel Wiseler-Lima (Christian Democrats), and Charles Goerens (Renew Europe) abstained from making announcements on their social media accounts.

The MEPs in favour of the resolution also called for Russia to be excluded from the G20 and other multilateral organisations, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, Interpol or Unesco. Belarus, which has shown its support of Russia on several occasions, should face similar sanctions as Russia, declared the European citizens’ representatives. While human corridors should be upheld to help refugees flee, plans should be set up to bring perpetrators of war crimes in the Russo-Ukrainian war in front of a special United Nations tribunal.

Since the start of the conflict, 6.5m people have been displaced within Ukraine, and over 4m have been reported to have fled their country.